AZCardinals.com reports that in the coming months before the first mini-camp in May, defensive coordinator Larry Marmie and his staff will spent a great deal of time evaluating the different packages and formations used during the past season on defense. The staff will be working to see what went right and what went wrong so an adjusted notebook can be put together. Marmie feels like a lot has been accomplished, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead with this young defensive unit.

As an update to an ongoing storyline, the Post Dispatch reports St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz continued his search for a defensive coordinator Thursday, meeting with Tampa Bay LB coach Lovie Smith at Rams Park. The team was turned down by Jacksonville when they requested permission to interview Dom Capers. Previously, the Rams were turned down by Buffalo, to interview Ted Cottrell, and by Arizona, to interview Larry Marmie. The Rams have sought permission to interview Washington defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes but have yet to hear back from the Redskins.

As an update to an earlier story, Jim Thomas reports for the Post Dispatch the St. Louis Rams have already interviewed Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Bill Kollar for their vacant defensive line coach position. The Rams also received permission from Tampa Bay to interview Buccaneers LB coach Lovie Smith for their defensive coordinator's job. The Rams were denied permission to talk with Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Larry Marmie and Buffalo defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell about their defensive coordinator's position.

Jim Thomas reports for the Post-Dispatch a leading candidate for the St. Louis Rams vacant special teams coach position is Bobby April, a former special teams coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1994-95) and the New Orleans Saints (1996-99). The story says the Rams have all but named April as Larry Pasquale's successor. Also, Bud Carson, brought in as a consultant in late October, won't be back. Coach Mike Martz would not discuss defensive coordinator candidates, but two potential candidates could be Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and Arizona Cardinals assistant coach Larry Marmie. Marmie was named interim defensive coordinator in Arizona when Dave McGinnis was promoted to coach.